China's National Immigration Administration announced today that effective immediately, citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam are now eligible for the 240‑hour transit visa‑free policy and the 30‑day visa‑free entry policy for Hainan. With this expansion, the 240‑hour transit visa‑free policy now covers 57 countries, while the Hainan 30‑day visa‑free policy covers 61 countries.
Citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam holding ordinary passports and connecting tickets with confirmed dates and itineraries may enter China visa‑free through 65 open ports, including Beijing and Shanghai, when transiting to a third country or region, and stay within designated areas for up to 240 hours without a visa. The two countries' citizens may also enter through Hainan's open ports and stay visa‑free within the administrative area of Hainan Province for up to 30 days. During their stay under either policy, visitors may engage in short‑term activities such as tourism, business, visits, and family reunions, but activities requiring prior approval — including work, study, and news coverage — still require a visa obtained before entry.
Earlier data from the National Immigration Administration show that in the first half of 2026, foreign arrivals to China reached 22.914 million, up 20.4 percent year on year. Visa‑free foreign entries totalled 17.815 million, accounting for 77.7 percent of all foreign arrivals, a year‑on‑year increase of 30.6 percent. In other words, nearly eight out of every ten inbound foreign visitors entered China without a visa.
More notably, a deeper shift is taking place in inbound tourism: overseas travellers are moving away from the old model of "landmark‑hopping and rushed itineraries" toward immersive, slow‑paced experiential travel. A growing number of repeat visitors are now planning personalised routes, exploring city streets for local life, experiencing intangible cultural heritage crafts, traditional Chinese medicine, and regional cuisine, and staying for extended periods in rural homestays.
Related News:
Visa-free foreign visitors surge over 30% in first half: Inbound consumption remains robust
'China Cool' trend draws record foreign tourists seeking summer escape
Comment